Engine component heating system

ABSTRACT

A heating unit for the oil dip stick of the oil system of the engine of an automotive vehicle is electrically connected to an auxiliary battery via a thermostatically controlled switch. The heating unit thereby heats the oil when the temperature drops below a predetermined level.

United States Patent Anderson 1 Mar. 19, 1974 ENGINE COMPONENT HEATINGSYSTEM 2,418,792 4/1947 Riggs 136/161 2,516,048 7/1950 Endres's 136/161[75] Invent: Arthur Anderson 2.626971 1/1953 Mansoff 136/161 73Assigneez The Raymond Lee Organization, 2,710,936 6/1955 Lowry et a1320/2 Inc New York Godshalk 6t X 3,110,633 11/1963 Bachmann 123/161 [22]Filed: Aug. 21, 1972 3,251,017 5/1966 Okerstrom 123/1425 R Appl. No.:282,306

U.S. Cl. 123/1425 E, 136/161, 290/50, 219/205 Int. Cl. F0lm 5/02, B6011/02, F02n 17/02 Field of Search 123/1425, 142.5 E; 320/2, 320/35;136/161, 219/205; 290/50 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS1,266,780 5/1918 Edison .1 123/1425 R 1,992,568 2/1935 Connor 123/1425 R2,389,925 11/1945 Morgan et a1 123/1425 E Primary Examiner-A1 LawrenceSmith Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Danie1 Jay Tick 5 7 ABSTRACT A heatingunit for the oil dip stick of the oil system of the engine of anautomotive vehicle is electrically connected to an auxiliary battery viaa thermostatically controlled switch. The heating unit thereby heats theoil when the temperature drops below a predetermined level.

5 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures STARTER U LATOR PATENTEDMAR '19 1974 FIG! RE T R A T s FIGZ . ENGINE COMPONENT HEATING SYSTEM DESCRIPTION OF THEINVENTION The present invention relates to an engine component heatingsystem. More particularly, the invention relates to an engine componentheating system for an automotive vehicle.

The principal object of the invention is to provide an engine componentheating system of simple structure, which is inexpensive in manufactureand which functions efficiently, effectively, rapidly and reliably toheat the oil and the battery when the temperature drops below apredetermined level.

An object of the invention is to provide an engine component heatingsystem of simple structure which heats the oil and the battery of theengine of an automotive vehicle when the temperature drops below apredetermined level, without utilizing an outside source of power.

In order that the invention may be readily carried into effect, it willnow be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the engine componentheating system of the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of the engine component heating system ofthe invention.

In the FIGS., the same components are identified by the same referencenumerals.

The engine component heating system of the invention is for anautomotive vehicle 1 having an engine 2. The vehicle 1 has an oil systemfor lubricating the engine 2. The oil system has a reservoir and an oildip stick 3 therein (FIG. 1). A battery 4 is utilized to start theengine 2.

The engine component heating system of the invention comprises anauxiliary battery 5. A first thermostatically controlled switch 6 (FIG.2) and a second thermostatically controlled switch 7 (FIG. 2) areprovided. The switches 6 and 7 close, to close their circuits, when thetemperature drops below a predetermined level.

A heating unit 8 (FIG. 2) for the oil dip stick 3 (FIG. 1) iselectrically connected to the auxiliary battery via the firstthermostatically controlled switch 6 and an electrical conductor 9 forheating the oil when the temperature drops below the predeterminedlevel.

A heating unit 10 (FIG. 2) for the battery 4 is electrically connectedto the auxiliary battery 5 via the second thermostatically controlledswitch 7 and an electrical conductor 11 for heating the battery when thetemperature drops below the predetermined level. The battery 4 and itsheating unit 10 are housed in a thermally insulated housing 12.

The vehicle 1 has battery charging means, comprising a generator 13coupled to the fan belt 14 of the engine (FIG. 2) and voltage regulators15. The battery charging means is electrically connected to the battery4 and to the auxiliary battery 5 and charges both batteries when theengine 2 is running.

While the invention has been described by means of specific examples andin specific embodiments, I do not wish to be limited thereto, forobvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim: F

1. An engine component heating system for an automotive vehicle havingan engine, an oil system for lubricating the engine having a reservoirand an oil dip stick therein and a battery for starting the engine, saidengine component heating system comprising an auxiliary battery;

a first thermostatically controlled switch; and

a heating unit for the oil dip stick electrically connected to theauxiliary battery via the first thermostatically controlled switch forheating the oil when the temperature drops below a predetermined level.l

2. An engine component heating system for an automotive vehicle havingan engine and a battery for starting the engine, said engine componentheating system comprising an auxiliary battery;

a thermostatically controlled switch; and

a heating unit for the battery electrically connected to the auxiliarybattery via the thermostatically controlled switch for heating thebattery when the temperature drops below a predetermined level.

3. An engine component heating system as claimed in claim 1, furthercomprising a second thermostatically controlled switch, and a heatingunit for the battery electrically connected to the auxiliary battery viathe second thermostatically controlled switch for heating the batterywhen the temperature drops below a predetermined level.

4. An engine component heating system as claimed in claim 2, furthercomprising a thermally insulated housing, and wherein the battery andthe heating unit for the battery are housed in the housing.

5. An engine component heating system as claimed in claim 3, wherein theautomotive vehicle has battery charging means coupled to the engine andelectrically connected to the battery and to the auxiliary battery forcharging both batteries when the engine is running.

1. An engine component heating system for an automotive vehicle havingan engine, an oil system for lubricating the engine having a reservoirand an oil dip stick therein and a battery for starting the engine, saidengine component heating system comprising an auxiliary battery; a firstthermostatically controlled switch; and a heating unit for the oil dipstick electrically connected to the auxiliary battery via the firstthermostatically controlled switch for heating the oil when thetemperature drops below a predetermined level.
 2. An engine componentheating system for an automotive vehicle having an engine and a batteryfor starting the engine, said engine component heating system comprisingan auxiliary battery; a thermostatically controlled switch; and aheating unit for the battery electrically connected to the auxiliarybattery via the thermostatically controlled switch for heating thebattery when the temperature drops below a predetermined level.
 3. Anengine component heating system as claimed in claim 1, furthercomprising a second thermostatically controlled switch, and a heatingunit for the battery electrically connected to the auxiliary battery viathe second thermostatically controlled switch for heating the batterywhen the temperature drops below a predetermined level.
 4. An enginecomponent heating system as claimed in claim 2, further comprising athermally insulated housing, and wherein the battery and the heatingunit for the battery are housed in the housing.
 5. An engine componentheating system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the automotive vehicle hasbattery charging means coupled to the engine and electrically connectedto the battery and to the auxiliary battery for charging both batterieswhen the engine is running.